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Topic Review (Newest First)

01-20-2015 10:40 AM

herman

07 Brake issue

I have good quality brakes with new rotors that I installed about a year ago. Three weeks ago I noticed my brake pedal was very touchy compared to its regular feel. When I applied foot presure to the pedal it slowed the car quickly. It normally feels like the pedal goes down a bit and slows the car in its regular fashion. I instantly thought the calipers where sticking, I got home and removed the caliper and pads, I took sandpaper and cleaned the areas where the end of pads come in contact with the caliper bracket. Once these contact points where cleaned I then put a very small amount of ant-seaze on them in hopes this would fix it. It did not fix it and let me say the car does not pull to the right or left when braking. Any Idea ?

12-02-2014 07:28 PM

crystalnh

Would love to see the info you have!

doing a master tomorrow for my daughter. If you get this and could send me what you have I would greatly appreciate it. crystalnh4492@yahoo.com

11-21-2014 12:08 AM

focusgg

I have not yet replaced the brake master cylinder in my 2005 Focus. The issue persists, but it is a very seldom occurrence; I'd say once every 6 months. Back when I originally replied to this post, I lived in LA and would apply constant force to the brake pedal as I idled forward in traffic every day. The sinking pedal was very common back then, maybe once a week. But since moving to an area with no traffic, it rarely happens since I don't ride the brakes so much.

I still think sailor's original diagnosis is correct. An internal piston seal is occasionally allowing fluid by, so for the length of that stroke only the second piston and therefore two brakes are functional and it takes much more stroke to stop the car. That is standard master cylinder fail safe design.

Despite the infrequency, I plan to change the master cylinder out soon. The only reason I haven't is because my Chilton's repair manual made mention of a special Ford tool required to bleed the ABS-equipped Foci. Since then, I have acquired a digital Ford shop manual for the 2000-2005 Focus, and it makes no mention of this special tool....... I extracted the relevant portions from the shop manual regarding master cylinder testing, replacement, and brake bleeding in case it would help anyone, but I don't see a way to attach files.... is there a way on this forum?

Otherwise, if you come across this thread and you want some information from the shop manual regarding this issue, PM me an email address and I'll send you what I have.

11-19-2014 04:14 PM

sailor

Moved to Brakes, Suspension & Chassis

11-19-2014 04:10 PM

Highball116

If either of you decide to replace your master cylinder, do yourself a favor and bench bleed it before installation. There are kits for that with little threaded plastic plugs. If you install the cylinder dry, fill it up, and bleed everything from the brakes, it takes longer and you waste fluid.

Toby

11-19-2014 09:06 AM

suznal

I haven't done repairs as of yet. I haven't really driven the car in a while, but when I have this problem has not presented itself.

11-17-2014 11:19 PM

stphn

hi

i have the same problem with my isuzu fuego. so did the replacement of the master cylinder fix it? i need to know. tnx

10-20-2012 03:16 AM

amc49

You could easily be getting ready to crash your car into others at a traffic light, worrying about having to have car with no downtime is definitely misplaced priority..........getting car fixed fast is more important.

Change master cylinder.

10-19-2012 11:23 AM

suznal

Quote:

Originally Posted by focusgg

Focusfanatic Grumpy said it best, in my opinion:

"If you can get the pedal hard by letting the pedal up and then quickly applying the brakes again, it ain't air in the system, but assuming there are no external fluid leaks, you've probably got the master cylinder bypassing fluid (fluid leaks past a piston seal). Usually will be noticed when applying the brakes for a relatively long time, and the pedal will slowly drop towards the floor. It IS NOT normal. Get to a dealer.......the warranty should cover it. It is not normal wear and tear on the brakes."

However I would like to avoid the dealer if possible. Does anybody have any experience with replacing the master cylinder on an '05 Focus? Is a pressure bleeder or specialty dealer tool really necessary?

I actually don't mind spending the money on a pressure bleeder since I'll probably come out ahead of a dealer repair bill anyways, I'm just wondering.

OK, makes sense - I will proceed with the assumption that the brake master cylinder is the culprit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalFan

On my 2000 with ABS the instructions are to use special Ford test equipment when bleeding the system if air has entered the ABS unit. Since that was not the case, I only had to be sure to bench bleed the brake master cylinder before installation. My fluid was very contaminated so I used this opportunity to dump all of it.

I will do a liitle more digging, just to make sure that i have everything i need - too bad Ford doesn't offer up this information freely to it's customers. I just can't have anything go wrong - no car means no work!

09-21-2012 06:10 PM

SoCalFan

On my 2000 with ABS the instructions are to use special Ford test equipment when bleeding the system if air has entered the ABS unit. Since that was not the case, I only had to be sure to bench bleed the brake master cylinder before installation. My fluid was very contaminated so I used this opportunity to dump all of it.

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